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When I found out I had PCOS, I was devastated about the thought of no longer being able to compete in a figure competition. Having now been through two strongwoman competitions, I am now in a different realm of competing altogether. I don’t think there is anything wrong with competing in bodybuilding – provided you’re doing it for the right reasons – but it is something I have absolutely no interest in anymore.

Back when I first started blogging, I read a blog post by Christine (she has since changed her blog so the post isn’t up anymore, but her original blog was what inspired me to start blogging!) where she said that something like 90 per cent of people who compete have an eating disorder.

At the time, I thought she had to be wrong – I mean, I wanted to compete and I was perfectly healthy, right? The problem with competing is that your life inadvertently revolves around food and working out. Even if you follow the increasingly more common “healthier” if it fits your macros-type of contest prep, you still have to record every morsel that goes in your mouth and count every calorie (which we know I’m not a fan of!).

I will freely admit that I wanted to compete in figure for the wrong reasons. I thought that by achieving such a level of leanness, I would finally feel proud of my body and receive the admiration that I so desperately sought.

I’d estimate that I’ve worked with at least 50 women who have had initial goals of wanting to obtain a bikini model-type physique. Although I don’t immediately discourage anyone from pursuing their goals, I always ask them WHY. Why do they think that looking like a bikini model will improve their life? Will achieving bodybuilder leanness for a fleeting amount of time (because it can only be fleeting, unless you want to dissolve into the depths of a full blown eating disorder) really solve all of their problems?

I now completely agree with Christine. I have worked with a number of women who competed while in denial about their eating habits, yet now deeply regret the damage it caused both their metabolism and mental state.

I see women who are currently prepping for a show and claim to be super healthy and eat OMGallthefoodz, but have the most messed up relationships with food I’ve ever seen. The thing that makes my blood boil is that their followers look up to them as a symbol of health while not knowing the full story, and then feel bad when they can’t achieve the same results.

When I was in high school, thin was very much in. Now it seems that everyone wants to look ripped and all this “strong is the new skinny” crap is only fuelling a new kind of eating disorder and pressure on women to chase an equally impossible physique. In my opinion, it’s much harder to achieve a fitness model look than a fashion model look – the latter can be achieved through pure starvation, but looking like a fitness model involves finding the delicate balance between building muscle while also reaching unnaturally low levels of body fat.

This is why I’m so against “motivational” pictures. People think if they go to the gym a couple of times a week and do a few cable kickbacks, they are going to have an ass like Amanda Latona. They don’t realise how much work truly goes into it.

Preparing for a competition involves 12-20+ weeks of strict dieting, weighing foods, never eating out, never missing a workout, and spending hours not just in the gym but also practising posing. Every bodybuilder I’ve ever met during their so-called peak week seems to be suicidal.

It seems like one ideal has been replaced with another. Girls who have eating disorders can easily dismiss claims of undereating and overexercising under the guise of trying to build muscle. If you question them about not eating enough to actually build muscle, they then use the excuse of not being able to gain too much fat as they want to compete. Newsflash: bulking actually requires weight gain, and your excuses for not being able to are invalid.

I am a self-admitted selfie whore on Instagram, but I try to limit how many half-naked photos I share. I know a lot of people think that posting selfies is a cry for validation, but for me it’s about feeling proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve transformed from a skinny runner with one hell of a messed up metabolism to a thicker, stronger woman who has now been featured on a website for competitive eaters!

I am proud of my body because of what it can do and where it has come from, and I don’t need to stand on stage in a bikini to prove that. I think women are already too critical of their own bodies – we don’t need to ask strangers to add to the judgement.

I like being able to look in the mirror and not pick on certain body parts for being underdeveloped or too soft. Of course, it’s pretty cool when I see my muscles becoming more defined, but I view it as an added bonus of participating in an activity I enjoy, rather than the sole reason I work out.

Of course, there is still that 10 per cent of competitors who don’t have messed up relationships with food. The perfect example which comes to mind is Chelsey. She goes about prep in the sanest way possible – she doesn’t cut carbs and she still lifts heavier than I could dream of two weeks before a competition!

I know there are numerous bodybuilders who read my blog so I’m not trying to offend anyone – I’m genuinely curious as to the reason you compete. I appreciate the aspect of wanting to improve yourself physically, but the sacrifice doesn’t seem worth it to me. I started this blog as somewhat of a bodybuilding journal, but my goals and beliefs have obviously changed over time.

If you compete in bodybuilding, why do you do it? How do you cope with the eating and training side of competing?

If you don’t compete, have you ever felt pressure to look like a fitness model?

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52 Responses

Rob / 12-5-2013 / ·

Mate bodybuilding is such a tough life and one that I wouldn’t wanna go through. After watching Eugene and seeing his lifestyle during comp-prep I just don’t think it’s worth it. It’s pretty amazing what he physically achieved but for 1 day of greatness but it took 20 weeks of being so strict and not going out and having no life to get it. Not my idea of a good life. Besides, I LOVE burgers!!!!

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

It seems like such an emotional rollercoaster to go through for one day. A weekly burger does sound a lot better 🙂

Jessy / 12-5-2013 / ·

Yes! I would never support this kind of competition. In fact, any kind of competition that emphasizes so much on aesthetics is a bad thing in my opinion. There is much more to women (and men for that matter) than their looks and fitness should not be about looking ”ripped”. Besides, the standards for competitors are quite frankly unhealthy (and contradicting – I mean, super low body fat but nice=fake boobs?) and anyone who says that they’re that lean naturally is only kidding themselves. Not to mention the whole mental aspect of recording every morsel you put into your mouth.
I think bodybuilding competitions are increasing in popularity because they legitimize restriction. People would usually side-eye you if you lived of tilapia/chicken with asparagus/broccoli and if you ”indulged” on things like cabbage ice cream and zucchini ”oatmeal” (without oats or omg carbs, of course), but this way you can brush off their concerns claiming to be preparing for a competition.

I think your diagnose in this regard was a blessing in disguise. Who knows if you’d ever think of doing strongman if there weren’t such obstacles to doing figure competitions? I doubt that you’d be focusing so much on strength as opposed to aesthetics if you were a figure competitor and you’d be constantly under the risk to screw up your body image and healthy relationship with food.

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

I feel like my PCOS diagnosis was a bit of a blessing. Reading that post back makes me laugh but also cringe because of how hard I took it. You’re right in that I probably would have never looked at other aspects of lifting such as powerlifting and strongman. I’m so thankful I discovered this new form of competition.

I also agree about the normalising of restrictive eating habits, and I can use myself as an example. At my last job, my colleagues often talked about another colleague behind their back and said they had an eating disorder because of what they ate, and yet another colleague who followed the exact same diet was never criticised because it was in the name of an upcoming competition. It makes no sense!

Megan @ Meg Go Run / 12-5-2013 / ·

I would definitely like to look like a fitness model… but I have no desire to design my life around that goal! I am perfectly fine with how I look and the amount of time/dedication it takes to accomplish what I do accomplish. Plus I have more important goals than just what I want to look like!

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

It sounds like you have a very healthy approach to achieving your goals! Sadly most people don’t realise the restriction involved in looking like a fitness model.

Megan @ Meg Go Run / 12-8-2013 / ·

Yup, it would just suck the fun out of life!

Gabby @ Gabby’s Gluten-Free / 12-5-2013 / ·

I don’t think that the competitions necessarily are to blame but rather the fact that they are a blatant expression of the ridiculous expectations that women put on other women and themselves (men play a role, too but for simplicity sake, I’m sticking with the ladies). The constant media and societal bombardment of the message that a women is NOTHING unless she is f*ckable (or deemed desirable) is ridiculous. That standard of what is desirable continues to change, like you mentioned, has shifted from “thinness” to leanness but really the whole “strong is the new skinny” thing is just the thigh gap message with abs.

I think the main issue is really that people, no matter what their sport or athletic pursuits are, should have a healthy relationship with food and turn from “punishing” their body to celebrating it.

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

I think the original idea of bodybuilding was great – it showed off how regular people could sculpt their bodies to become completely different. Now, as weight lifting has become more common, more and more people are getting into bodybuilding – but for the wrong reasons. I think women see it as an “easy” way to obtain that desirable body, and know that no one will question their behaviours if it is in the name of a competition.

Lindsay / 12-5-2013 / ·

“I am proud of my body because of what it can do and where it has come from, and I don’t need to stand on stage in a bikini to prove that. I think women are already too critical of their own bodies – we don’t need to ask strangers to add to the judgement”
Yes! Exactly why I don’t and never will compete.

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

I think you look amazing, and you have reached that perfect balance between training to be stronger and training to look good. You definitely don’t need to stand out on a stage to prove yourself!

colleen / 12-5-2013 / ·

Oh my gosh tara , honestly after reading this it makes my reasoning to want to compete all that much more invalid . I told myself I won’t stop till I’m in stage because I’ll know I’ve made it when I get there !! I recently had a trainer whom used to train me compete and she stated on her photo “thanks to my coach Kim O for helping me lose 1 lbs in 6 weeks” had my jaw to the floor ! That can’t be healthy by any means . Then she stated how this prep challenged her in every way even spiritually . I just thought wow I can’t do this to my body . I can’t even lose what I’ve gained by damaging my metabolism yet ! Let alone mentally go through all this over again with a damaged metabolism . I always said I want to compete to prove something to myself , I really think this will never happen or at least for the time being I’m putting that dream on hold . It’s a personal goal buy my health MUST come first . I’d be more proud of fixing my issues now than stepping on stage !

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

The hardest part is being able to recognise that competing might not be the best decision, and you’ve already done that. Anyone who has any form of metabolic damage has no business competing, in my opinion – it is just making the problem worse.

I think there are other ways to prove yourself. You can still change your body type, get strong, have full health and a fully functioning metabolism – none of that requires stepping foot on stage.

colleen / 12-5-2013 / ·

Sorry I meant to put 17lbs

Sam @ Better With Sprinkles / 12-5-2013 / ·

Oh my goodness, YES to all of this! I realize that some people really do get into bodybuilding comps for the right reasons, but I have a hard time believing that for most people. I mean, being a bikini competitor is the most ‘acceptable’ way to be underweight/have a low body fat percentage! A couple of bios I’ve read on bikini competitors have admitted that they’ve come from ED past, and I can’t say I’m surprised – being a competitor allows you to continue to obsess over your food and your body, but people can’t give you shit for it because it’s a competition – it’s ‘legitimate’ restricting!

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

I know – most competitors either started off by having EDs or then end up having one! That right there should tell you it’s not the healthiest sport. I have been around a lot of bodybuilders and people usually raise an eyebrow at their eating habits, until they realise there is a show on the line and then it all becomes okay.

Charell / 12-5-2013 / ·

You make me breathe a sigh of relief! I now know that a comfortable level of fitness can be had without becoming completely antisocial or developing a neurotic eating disorder. These days I think more about my health, strength and psychological wellness than my physical image. I love having a life. What would it be if I couldn’t enjoy a good meal and a glass of wine or two with the ones I love. Here’s to you!

Charell

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

Thanks, Charell. Hope your back is doing better!

Tiny n Fit / 12-5-2013 / ·

Love this post! I’ve stopped reading a couple of bloggers because it’s obvious their behavior is not of a competitor- eat all the foods? Eat all the asparagus? ‘Even though competition is over I am just ‘itching’ to run 100 miles and refuel with a stick of celery.’ Please. I’m impressed they not only have the ability to restrict and then justify their behavior as their ‘passion’ for competing, but then can preach it to their readers with peace of mind. I’ll stick with my Tara-made heavy lifting and real food plan 🙂

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

Thanks, Krista! I think that’s what pisses me off most. I don’t care if someone is competing and restricting on their own time, but when they put forward a completely false image of being healthy and eating everything in sight on social media/their blog, that’s what pisses me off. I feel like I have some kind of social responsibility to tell my readers the truth, so it annoys me when others don’t do the same.

sdorsay (itrainthereforeieat) / 12-5-2013 / ·

Wonderful post, Tara. I also really like what Gabby had to say, above — “strong is the new skinny is just the thigh gap message with abs”. Yes! I don’t have any experience with figure competitions, nor do I know anyone who has been in one, but from what I’ve gathered on instagram and around the blog world, it seems like there is a high correlation between ED and competing. It just seems like a really sad way to live to me — constantly cycling between stage weight and then stressing about gaining weight in the off season. It just seems like a very stressful lifestyle, both physically and mentally. No thanks!!

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

I did try a “pretend” comp prep diet for about 6 weeks, and it was awful. My life is stressful enough as it is – I don’t need to worry about measuring food and dealing with rebound weight!

D @ The Kosher Cave Girl / 12-5-2013 / ·

I try to focus on putting whole, real food in my body and lifting heavy things 3-5 times a weak. (I HATE cardio. Vehemently.) If I get toned and leaned? Cool. If not? Cool.

I feel healthy, I know I’m healthy, and that’s what’s really important. Screw a six pack, and screw a thigh gap. No one needs unattainable goals. Just realistic ones.

Be happy with the body you have.

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

Amen! I think it’s much more enjoyable to live a life aspiring after realistic goals that don’t make you obsessive.

redletterDaye / 12-5-2013 / ·

I love this topic, and agree with you. I follow some bikini/figure competitors on Instagram, but have been deleting the ones whose habits don’t seem healthy -i.e. 2 a day cardio + weights + baby “meals”. Girls that say 11% BF is healthy for a woman (yeah for healthy than the 7 you were at), or they would be “okay” if they weighed up to 105 lbs ( because 106 is just overdoing it). I’m 5’2″ and I’ve been 92 lbs and under 6% body fat and had abs, because I had nothing else on my body. That is not something to strive for. It’s miserable and it hurts just to exist. Not just mentally, but physically.

I think that my ED started out as “something healthy” that eventually was taken to an extreme- how much more can I lose? How much smaller can I get? I think the mindset for bodybuilding, in a way, is the same, plus muscles. Many competitors have no lives. Everything has to be planned and controlled and counted. I’ve been there, I’ve done it, and there was no trophy. Even if there was, it wouldn’t have been worth it.

I was recently talking about personal training with my bf’s cousin, and he asked if I’d ever compete. NO. I can’t imagine restricting like that, and I’d never want to. Now, there are some competitors who do it the “right way”, but there’s 10x more that don’t. (I have a friend who began competing, and he was unrecognizable, scary skinny with muscles- so I guess men are susceptible, too.) I also think it’s an easy way to hide an ED and “gain weight.” If they are going to gain, it won’t be fat only muscle.

I agree, I think it’s possible to like and be proud of your body, without having to prove it or be judged. I just want to have the confidence rock a bikini without someone telling me my butt’s not big enough. No thanks.

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

I started off excitedly following a bunch of competitors or aspiring competitors on Instagram, and I recently unfollowed them all as they were driving me crazy! What annoys me the most is the comments other people leave saying they are an inspiration. Give me a break!

I can kind of get behind those competitors who have a healthier (ie 15-20% body fat) body in the off-season, so long as they are not talking about bingeing and hating their bodies. I can promise you that no one who has sub 10 per cent body fat year-round has a healthy relationship with food!

“Bulking” can be a definite way to shut critics up about weight gain post ED. They can claim to want to gain muscle, but heaven help them if they gain any (desperately needed) body fat. You should have the confidence to rock a bikini – your booty is rockin’!

Chelsey @ Powerhouse Fit Foodie / 12-5-2013 / ·

Well thanks for saying I’m one of the 10%. I honestly don’t know if/when I’ll compete again but at least I can say I did mine this year in the least damaging way I could. I completely and totally agree that most girls do it for the wrong reason. And the men are just as bad. This year the men’s physique category blew up and the conversations the guys were having backstage were completely disturbing. I’ve met girls who live a prep lifestyle year round at this point because they are so afraid of coming off their plan and no longer know how to eat ‘normally’. It’s a sad but true reality of the sport.

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

I would be in support of you competing again, if that’s something you wanted to do, as I know you do it in a very sane way. I would be surprised if you dealt with much weight rebound at all once you started eating “normally” again, considering how healthily you prepped.

nikki / 12-5-2013 / ·

WOW! where to start! I’m potentially one of the ‘body building’ followers that you didn’t want to offend! lol, and, of course you haven’t…..As you know I’ve been lifting HEAVY for 3 years, and apart from the odd ‘lean out’ (just to make sure i didn’t add OVER 10kg), Ive not yet to do a proper lean out, stage prep….or ANY cardio.

I’ve recently set upon a competition (BNBF and UFE, 2014. i don’t want to compete UKBFF at all), spoken to a coach (who trains natural) and really feel like i have some goals set for the next year…that will ultimately test if this is something I want to continue with (i.e., stage comp). I have to admit at this moment? I have no idea. Im not sure, but i figure it will be a great test. If i find that I’m losing the enjoyment of the workouts (lifting heavy is what i enjoy most), or that my health and feeling of well-being is in decline, then i don’t think it will be happening again. The aesthetic side that once motivated me much more than anything is slowly disappearing under a desire to hit constant PBs!

So Im figuring stage prep could be the decider for me – as it was for Jamie eason (or so i read). As much as this journey started as goal for me wanting to ‘look better’, i don’t think anything could be more important now than me being able to hit the gym and lift more than most guys around me! Maybe 3 years of training without any desire to compete has been good for me…Im in love with lifting regardless…

when i first found you, your blog was all about the bodybuilding (the stage stuff) and since, you have obviously diverted. At first I really wasn’t sure what was going on! BUT….lets just say, i’m still always watching, and reading :)…one day, a log press? who knows!! haha

Nikki x

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

Congrats on setting a (potential) comp date! Judging from your pictures, your body is already looking tip-top – I can’t imagine you needing to do much cardio or dieting at all. Plus there is no need to follow through, if you decide it’s something that isn’t enjoyable at all. You are very well-educated about all aspects of competing as well, so I’m confident you will be able to do it in a healthy and objective mannger.

HA and I’m glad I haven’t lost you! I didn’t know if I should change my entire blog or what, but I figured it’s good to have it as a full circle – figure girl goes strongwoman! By the sounds of it, you might be joining me 😉 Once I get you in my gym with the log, there will be no going back!! xx

Alison Wood / 12-5-2013 / ·

love love love this post. I am proud to say that the gym I am working for at the moment is totally against the same kind of ‘strong is new skinny’ type imagery that we use on ‘social media. I too am against it too. After competing twice, and going back to crossfit and training and eating to stay fit and healthy and strong, I am in a much better mindset that when I was competing.

I am sad to say upon reflecting it’s definitely disordered eating when prepping for a comp – as 90% of your time is focused on eating, meal prep and training.

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

What’s funny is my gym actually has “strong is the new skinny” posters everywhere, but I think they mean it in a non-aesthetic sense. It was really interesting to hear your perspective – I can only say so much seeing as I have never competed myself!

Shreya @ rushofendorphins / 12-6-2013 / ·

I think a big part of me training links to looking good, but I definitely stick to the training because I love it. I can never imagine doing steady-state cardio again, nor can I imagine eating measly portions of food – the thought of it makes me want to cry!

When I had a super low BF% during my ED, I was miserable. I had no friends and I only thought about food. I never want to go back there. I may not be so lean, but I am happier, stronger, and get attention from guys. I’d rather take my time to lose fat and build muscle to a point that my body will be comfortable with, so I can actually maintain it the rest of my life.

Great great post as usual. You’ve transformed from your earliest posts to total hotstuff now btw :p

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

It’s great when you can find something that makes you look good AND makes your mind happy. For me, I never truly loved running – it was more of a punishment that I put myself through so I could achieve that “dream” body. Now, lifting heavy stuff has the added bonus of making my body look good too!

Arman @ thebigmansworld / 12-6-2013 / ·

Preach it brother. So so true. I have had a couple of mates who did the whole ‘competition’ prep thing and it took them FOREVER to get out of the dietary mindset- you said it perfectly about how 90% are quite disordered. The line between that is sooooo fine- it really is.

I must admit, I did start lifting purely for aesthetic purposes- I remember telling my mate I don’t care if I only lift 10 kg dbs, I just want to look good, but that certainly worked out well. Now, I want to be lean, but be able to lift heavy. I will also NEVER consider to compete. I often need to remind myself of this- no need to be so strict with my diet or exercise regime.

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

I think it’s extremely hard to go from the mindset of weighing every piece of food and timing your meals precisely, to then try and eat like a “normal” person. Heck, I’ve been through the process myself and it took years! I could never go back to that restrictive way of eating.

I think there will always be an aesthetic element in anyone’s reasoning for exercising. Lifting heavy weights is not only fun for me, but it also keeps my body relatively lean and muscular – it’s a win-win! Your previous self sounds like Rob… “I don’t want to lift heavy, I just want to look like I do” haha!

Jan @ Sprouts n Squats / 12-6-2013 / ·

I could never have the level of dedication required of not going out or having fun to ever want to compete.

I am a huge advocate of looking at the why behind people want to be thin and what is that going to do or mean for them. Usually when it is broken down (from what I’ve read) they think that being thin is going to be the answer to all of their issues when in actual fact it can create even more issues than they ever would have thought.

Love that you wrote this post.

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

Exactly! Most people think their lives will be perfect when they finally reach their goal body weight, when in reality nothing changes at all. I can no longer understand why I would have wanted to compete in the first place!

Aqilah @ PrettyAwesomeFitness / 12-7-2013 / ·

Wow Tara. What a perfect timing. I had my cousin over from Singapore who used to be a bodybuilder and we chatted a lot about aesthetics and what goes on prepping for it. He even encouraged me to do it, just to try it out but I’d have to say thanks but no thanks. I can’t even imagine restricting myself like that.

Tara / 12-8-2013 / ·

I tried out a comp prep diet for about six weeks and I was miserable! It took me months before I was able to eat normally without huge cheat meals and feeling guilt about food. Not worth it!

gaayathri / 12-9-2013 / ·

It’s called orthorexia

Tara / 12-9-2013 / ·

I think it is more than orthorexia, as there are plenty of orthorexic people who don’t compete. Many competitors have extreme bingeing problems, which those with orthorexia do not tend to suffer from.

Sophie / 12-9-2013 / ·

I relate to this post so much!! As someone who had anorexia, partially fuelled by the size 0 fad, lifting did help me be ‘okay’ with gaining weight. However, most people don’t realise the really negative effects of attaining the ‘perfect’ figure. I’m almost certain that 99% of shredded models don’t have their periods, and if they do it is likely to be induced by the pill.

Anyway, love the post! 🙂

Any posts on overtraining soon? I fear I’m there now 🙁

Tara / 12-9-2013 / ·

I can think of several competitors who say they are healthy because they have sub 10 per cent body fat but still get their period, never minding the fact they have admitted they take the pill!

Maybe it’s just my environment, but I think there’s a shift to being more healthy about competing. My gym/trainer is great – no one is encouraged to do insane dieting. In fact, we don’t start a hard core cut until just a few weeks out. You saw me – I didn’t start eating the super limited diet many spend months on until 1-2 weeks out. It’s just not necessary (or healthy).

Tara / 12-11-2013 / ·

I agree – there is definitely more awareness being brought on the healthy ways to compete, what with Layne Norton and co. It also helps that you are already super lean so you can get away without extreme diets and endless cardio!

melissa cunningham / 12-9-2013 / ·

i am not offended by this post,and consider myself one of the 10%,as i don’t really see myself as the average figure competitor. i have a life outside of the gym, life doesn’t revolve around meal prep and plans, even when in contest prep.i dot do anything “hardcore” until the last few weeks. yes it takes structure, order, strong will, dedication and planning ahead. but you know, having 4 kids requires the same thing,lol!
to me, competing is more of a hobby, running is and always be my first passion.
it used to not be that way for me though. when i first started competing, I did it for the wrong reasons.
after i took a full year off to regain my composure both physically and mentally, and once i changed my mindset about going on stage looking how i wanted to and not concerning myself with what the judges subjective opinion, I started winning and racking up pro cards!

coming from someone who has been competing for several years,
I do agree that a lot of those involved in physique competitions(bodybuiding/figure/bikini) develop a type of disordered eating at some point or another ,and sadly, the restrictive obsessive behavior is “normal” in the bodybuilding world.

however, I have seen a growing trend of what sprint2thetable is talking about. i do hope the healthier way to compete catches on!
sometimes it seems that those who compete feel they have to do drastic diets, have to do extreme workouts in order to be deemed a true competitor, who is 100% hard core.
i cant tell you how many times i overhear competitors, even those a full 16-18 weeks out, complain about how hard prep is, spout off how many grams of carbs their coach/trainer cut out this week, how many minutes of dreaded cardio they did, and how brutal the workouts are……
they will complain, compare and try to out top the other’s story…

sometimes it seems the more restrictive the diet is, the more intense the workouts are,the more that that lifestyle is deemed acceptable in the realm of the bodybuilding world.
don’t get me started about what magazines are putting out.
you know the ones that glorify this type of “lifestyle”?
totally puts a greater misconception about what is “healthy”
and trust me, the last few weeks of a bodybuilders nutrition plan is so not healthy and not sustainable for everyday life!!!!!
there has to be a balance between on and off season nutrition. not this one extreme to the next business.
but that’s another rant altogether,
ive rambled enough!
: )

Tara / 12-11-2013 / ·

I love your ramblings, Melissa! And I love the way you approach prep, and fitness in general – you are an all-round athlete who could inspire anyone! It seems like more and more people are finding healthier ways to compete, but the overall pool of people competing seems to be ever-increasing, so it’s not necessarily making that big of a difference. When I started working with a bodybuilding coach, it was the very traditional extreme diet/cardio approach, and it sent me running for the hills!!! I couldn’t handle it 6 months out of competition, let alone 12 weeks out.

You should write a post about the last few weeks leading up to a show, and why it isn’t as healthy and sustainable as some would think!

samanthaangela / 1-2-2014 / ·

…all this “strong is the new skinny” crap is only fuelling a new kind of eating disorder and pressure on women to chase an equally impossible physique.

Absolutely!
I once very briefly thought it would be cool to be a figure competitor but then I realized the restriction that goes into it and thought not.
I much prefer to lift big and eat big and I get a lot of motivation and pride from hitting weightlifting goals than trying for the vague goal of looking better or fitter. Because there is always some photoshopped body that will look better than mine, making the goal of looking better seem always farther and farther away.

Tara / 1-3-2014 / ·

Exactly! When you focus on physique, I don’t think you will ever be happy as there is always a better physique out there. But the same could be said for strength! We can never win…

samanthaangela / 1-3-2014 / ·

Yes and no.
Strength goals are quantitative and measurable. If you set a goal for a 225lb squat for instance you will know when you’ve achieved it and you’ll feel accomplished, but of course you’ll probably set a new goal once that is achieved and maybe that sense of accomplishment will be fleeting.

But I supposed if you set a measurable physique goal (like a 24″ waist or something like that) you might be able to make the goal more tangible.

Tara / 1-3-2014 / ·

That is true. I have set numerical goals for both my strength and physique in the past, and I have to say I was a lot happier when I achieved the strength-related ones.